Priority Interview Program

Overview

The Priority Interview Program (PIP) vets and registers established, reputable firms to make it easier for certain employees to seek nonimmigrant visitor visas for business travel at reserved appointment times. The Priority Interview Program allows qualifying businesses access to:

Qualifications

Firms lawfully operating within the Philippines are eligible to join the PIP, regardless of the firm's ultimate nationality. Eligible firms may include for-profit corporations, universities, NGOs, news media and international organizations. PIP registration is valid for two years. Firms must re-register if any authorized signatories change within that two-year registration period.

PIP applicants may seek B visas for their firm's business. B visas are generally issued for multiple entries during a 5 year period of time. No specific U.S. event or invitation is needed for PIP travel. PIP firms are encouraged to plan ahead and seek visas in advance for employees who may have a future or indeterminate need to travel.

PIP applicants include professional, permanent, full-time employees of registered firms. Casual, temporary, part-time or contract staff are ineligible. There is no minimum length of employment. PIP-registered firms may not submit visa applications for clients, business associates, customers, domestic servants, friends, or other relatives, who must apply in the normal manner by making an appointment online.

How to Apply

Step 1

Request a Priority Interview Program appointment using the online appointment system. Once you have submitted your request, please wait for a response from the U.S. Embassy/Consulate, which will come via email.

Step 2

If the U.S. Embassy/Consulate approves your request then you will receive an email alerting you to schedule your appointment. Please understand that the call center cannot schedule your appointment for you, but agents are able to assist if questions arise. Should the U.S. Embassy/Consulate deny your [insert name of business visa program here] request, you will be notified of the denial by email and you must schedule an appointment using the normal process.

Note: The email confirming or denying your request will come from no-reply@ustraveldocs.com. Some email applications have rules which filter unknown senders into a spam or junk mail folder. If you have not received your email notification, please look for the message in your junk and spam email folders.

Schedule an appointment using the online appointment system. You will need three pieces of information in order to schedule an appointment:

Your passport number

Your MRV fee payment receipt number

The ten (10) digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page

Step 6

Visit the U.S. Embassy/Consulate on the date and time of your visa interview. You will need to bring a printed copy of your appointment letter, your DS-160 confirmation page, one recent photograph, a current passport and all old passports. Applications without all of these items will not be accepted.

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website and Consular Post websites are the definitive sources of visa information. Should there be discrepancies in content, the Consular Affairs website and Consular Post websites take precedence.